Canadian Favourites – Gin!
So here we are, all now firmly ensconced in #TariffTimes, and judging by the media, both traditional and social, Canadians are pissed! Good for us, we should be! #ElbowsUp, and all!
One of the ways my fellow countrymen and women are reacting is with a forceful ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality, which could be the only really positive thing that comes out of all this mess.
With this in mind, I’m compiling a list of cross-Canada faves for people looking to replace the foreign-owned or -produced beers and spirits in their lives, and while there is certainly nothing wrong with British-made gins like Tanqueray or Beefeater or Fords, there are also a lot of domestic gin producers across the land who would be most appreciative of your patronage.
So if you’re looking for a local spirit to mix in your Martini or G&T, I suggest you consider any of the following:
Newfoundland & Labrador: Newfoundland Distillery Seaweed Gin
More London Dry than seaweedy in character, the Grand Banks dulse used gives this a distinct umami character, suiting it well for very, very dry Martinis.
New Brunswick: Distillerie Fils du Roy Gin Thuya
An early leader in Canadian craft distilled gins and still a delightfully foresty spirit thanks to the botanical addition of Thuja occidentalis, also known as northern white-cedar.
Prince Edward Island: Myriad View Strait Gin
Citrus forward and a bit of a powerhouse at 51% alcohol, while the bottle says ‘London Dry,’ this gin is more spicy than it is junipery and definitely best suited to mixology.
Nova Scotia: Compass Distillers Gin Wild
The foraged Nova Scotia juniper is the star of this unabashedly London Dry style that makes a mean Martini, but is also suitable for cocktailing.
Québec: Seventh Heaven Canadian London Dry Gin
See the full review here.
Ontario: Black’s Distillery Gin
A combination of savoury ingredients, including apple, lends this gin a fruity-juniper nose and robustly herbal character that begs to be sipped neat, or at least nearly so.
Manitoba
I don’t have a pick for Manitoba, I’m afraid, but am open to suggestions.
Saskatchewan: Black Fox Canadian Gin
From its online description, I’m assuming this is the same or almost the same as the Gin #3 I reviewed for Canadian Spirits, which makes it soft, round, and complex.
Alberta: Last Best Distilling First Love Gin
Calgary’s Last Best produced a new gin each week during 2018, so when the distillery bills this as its First Love, you know its juniper-floral combination is something special.
British Columbia: Sheringham Distillery Seaside Gin
See the full review here.